January 28, 2003
Alberta plays global game with winning strategy
The Government of Alberta is embarking on a technology mission to California, Belgium and Finland from
January 29 to February 7, 2003. The goal of the mission is to advance Alberta's relationship with these
regions, ultimately bringing skilled people, business and investment to the province.
"Technology can change rapidly, but Alberta is staying focused by building on our strengths," said Victor
Doerksen, Minister of Alberta Innovation and Science, who will lead the mission. "We're working with the
most complementary partners to grow our proven talents. High-tech is a global industry and jurisdictions
with strong strategic alliances are the most successful."
Alberta has established relationships with California, Belgium and Finland and continues to strengthen
these links. For the last three years, the Alberta government has been active in California's Silicon Valley,
marketing Alberta-based opportunities in science, research and technology. As a result of previous
missions, several partnerships have been established between Alberta and Silicon Valley organizations.
A prominent example is Sun Microsystems relationship with the University of Calgary and University of
Alberta. By investing over a million dollars (CDN), Sun designated the University of Calgary a Sun Centre
of Excellence for Visual Genomics, selected the University of Alberta as the first-ever Sun Centre of
Excellence for E-Learning, and supported the Life Sciences Proteome Analytical Project at the University
of Alberta. During the current California mission, members of the Alberta team will meet with representatives from
leading private sector companies. Alberta will also host an expatriate event for approximately 150 alumni
living in Silicon Valley. The Government of Alberta has put on events to attract expatriates in Silicon
Valley in the past and, as a result, at least 7 professionals have made the move to relocate or expand their
business into Alberta. This January's expatriate event, sponsored by Sun Microsystems, IBM Canada,
TR Labs and Cisco Systems, will inform former Albertans about what is happening in Alberta and
encourage them to promote Alberta and Alberta investments within their networks. The Belgium portion of the mission will also build on progress made in past years, including a previous
Alberta technology mission to Belgium and the Alberta-Belgium Business & Technology Forum held in
Calgary in October 2002, which attracted 30 Belgian participants. These initiatives allowed Alberta and all
three regions of Belgium (Brussels-Capital, Flanders, Wallonia) to explore their common and
complementary research aims and technology-related business targets.
The current Alberta mission will visit each region of Belgium to further develop cooperative relationships
on information and communications technology, life sciences, and nanotechnology. While in Belgium,
Doerksen will sign an agreement on behalf of Alberta's Transportation minister for a reciprocal driver's
license agreement between the two jurisdictions. The agreement allows licensed drivers in both
jurisdictions to drive without having to pass theoretical or practical tests . Alberta formed a relationship with Finland over the last few years as both became internationally
recognized as frontrunners in wireless technologies. Marlene Graham, MLA Calgary-Lougheed, Chair of
the Alberta Research Council, and Vice-Chair of the Alberta Science and Research Authority, met several
times with telecommunications companies in Helsinki, Finland. In September 2001, Alberta hosted the
Alberta/Finland Wireless Symposium to bring together Alberta and Finland wireless companies for
business collaborations and to showcase Alberta's growing strength in wireless technology. And in 2002,
several exchange visits took place.
In Finland the Alberta team will meet with a number of companies which lead in commercializing new
mobile devices and services, particularly in regard to healthcare, sports and recreation markets. Alberta
representatives will also meet with senior officials of Tekes, VTT- Technical Research Centre, Tekel Finnish Science Parks Association, Academy of Finland, and the national Science and Technology
Council, to explore opportunities for joint research collaboration, and commit to initial project
feasibility assessments. Alberta will also sign a number of agreements with the Finnish region of Oulu, to
launch several joint projects related to e-health, mobile applications and content development, including a
broad Memorandum of Cooperation between the two regions.
"It's about clear vision and follow-through," added Doerksen. "We're taking this opportunity to further our
ties to California, Belgium and Finland for the benefit of Albertans."
Mission costs for the Minister and his executive assistant will total approximately $34,000.
-30Itineraries are attached.
For more information, contact:
Glenn Guenther - Communications Director - Alberta Innovation and Science - (780) 427-0285 or cell
(780) 499-8438 e-mail: [email protected]
In Alberta, dial 310-0000 for toll free access outside Edmonton
ITINERARY FOR SILICON VALLEY
Note: All events are subject to last-minute changes.
Wednesday, January 29
morning
Travel to San Francisco, USA
afternoon
Meeting with IBM Almaden Research Facility to identify
opportunities for collaboration.
evening
Speaking engagement at dinner with Silicon Valley investors to
promote Alberta's technology investment opportunities.
Thursday, January 30
morning
Meeting with Sun Microsystems to identify opportunities for
collaboration.
afternoon
Cisco Systems meeting to identify opportunities for collaboration.
evening
Host Expatriate Event to promote Alberta. Friday, January 31
morning
Meeting with VP of Sun Microsystems to discuss opportunities.
afternoon
Travel to Brussels, Belgium (arrive Saturday, February 1).
ITINERARY FOR BELGIUM
Note: All events are subject to last-minute changes.
Sunday, February 2
evening
Introductory meeting with Alberta delegates and representatives from
the Belgian organizing committee.
Monday, February 3
morning
Participate in Seminar on the E.U.'s Sixth Framework Programme for
Research and Technological Development (2002-2006) and deliver
greetings.
Meeting with Flanders Ministry of Technology.
Meeting with Flanders Ministry of Economy.
afternoon
Deliver Keynote address at Canada - Belgium - Luxemburg Chamber
of Commerce Luncheon Meeting at AGORIA, a consortium of advanced materials companies. evening
Meeting with Brussels-Capital Region to discuss potential
collaboration on advanced materials and life sciences.
Tuesday, February 4
morning
Meeting and tour at BioVallee and Institute for Molecular Biology
and Medicine (IBMM), in Gosselies / Charleroi (Wallonia region).
Meeting with MDS Nordion in Fleurus.
Meeting with Wallonia Region Ministry of Economic Affairs,
Research and New Technologies to discuss potential partnerships
agreements focused on joint R&D collaboration in ICT, life sciences,
and nano.
afternoon
Lunch meeting at Chateau Namur with all Alberta delegates.
Meeting at University of Namur ...continued on next page
Tuesday, February 4
evening
Sign an agreement (on behalf of Alberta's Transportation Minister)
with Belgium's Ministry of Transportation for reciprocal drivers'
licenses
Wednesday, February 5
morning
Meeting at VIB in Gent with biotech organizations to discuss
potential collaborations.
afternoon
Meeting and tour of IMEC facilities to discuss potential partnerships.
evening
Travel to Helsinki, Finland
ITINERARY FOR FINLAND
Wednesday, February 5
evening
Arrive in Helsinki
Thursday, February 6
morning
Meeting at Suunto Corp. to discuss current interests and activities.
afternoon.
Roundtable Session and Luncheon at the Canadian Embassy in
Finland.
Meeting with the Director of Tekes General to review processes and
opportunities for international R&D collaboration.
Meeting with the Minister of Industry & Trade at the VTT -Technical
Research Centre to discuss potential joint research projects in life
sciences, biofuels, and new media.
Evening
Discussion and dinner with Alberta delegates to review activities and
opportunities.
Friday, February 7
morning
Travel from Helsinki to Oulu
Attend reception at Technopolis Smarthouse and deliver greetings.
Tour Technopolis Plc. and Oulu Centre of Expertise and receive
introduction and overview of business process.
Meeting at University of Oulu to receive overview of University's
programs and R&D capabilities and business involvement.
Meeting with Wireless Businesses in Oulu to receive brief overview
from key industry leaders on key tech sectors in Oulu.
Meeting with Mobile Forum and Octopus Network to view
presentation and receive update on projects.
noon
Lunch at Oulu City Hall hosted by Deputy Mayor.
afternoon
View demonstrations by local innovative firms of sports and
technology products (wireless devices and services).
evening
Tour of Oulu Polytechnic and introduction to facility (tentative).
Attend Alberta / Oulu Steering Committee Meeting (via
videoconference with Alberta) to confirm process and review projects
Attend Closing Reception Hosted by Governor of Region
Return to Helsinki
Saturday, February 8
Return to Edmonton
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